KINDERMUSIK - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
"Are Kindermusik Classes really "Music" Classes? Do you play "real" instruments?"
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YES! and YES! In EVERY class and in EVERY Level- from newborn to age 5- your child is welcomed into a playful and nurturing environment where they will sing, move, play instruments, and hear stories-- with our research based whole-child development curriculum -- that helps to boost musical & social skills, problem-solving skills, pre-math skills, and provide a foundation for reading.
Our classes include "real" developmentally appropriate instruments ( e.g.: bells, drums, resonator bars, triangle, rhythym sticks) that strengthen fine motor skills and inhibitory skills. This primes and prepares our students to play more advanced instruments- such as piano or a string instrument like violin, viola or cello. (HOW does Kindermusik prepare a child for formal music instruction?.) At the same time they are also more fully prepared to engage in other physically challenging gross motor activities such as dance, gymnastics and other sports. "My 2 year old absolutely loves classes Nicole offers! It's helped him so much on a socially and developmentally. It's such a great environment! We love our family time there with everyone. " - Brandee Glenn
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"Is my child too "young" for Kindermusik?"
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Engaging a child through music and movement on the part of the caregiver is one of the few sensory rich activities that "fires" the brain developmentally.
FUN FACT: Research has proven the brain architecture of children develops rapidly within the first 2 months of life! By 2 years of age- a child will develop a MAJORITY of the neural connections needed for the rest of his life!! Music and movement strengthening activities have been proven to boost these connections. We have personally seen babies as young as 2 months magically react to their musical environment in our classes! Early childhood education shared in class inspires parents with specific daily activities to try with their babies such as: intentional touch, infant massage, ASL (American Sign Language) and establishing "I love you" routines and rituals. These can elevate your bonds and reduce frustrations with transitions. Meet your support system! Our classes have helped make and develop lifelong friendships! We welcome you to try our classes to experience why its never too young to.... |
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"Are Kindermusik classes only for children with specific talents or learning styles? And what if my child has special needs?"
We welcome ALL learning styles and personalities in our Kindermusik classes!! There are for example: visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning styles! Some may like to sing or dance and others are shy and like to observe more. So a natural "BE yourself" approach is the BEST Kindermusik experience!
Children are naturally curious and exploratory to our room and with other children- especially on their first visit! We want to reassure you-- this is completely normal! We welcome this as we feel this is the way they are learning! Oftentimes, we use these golden spontaneous moments to teach something important to your child and other children in class! So there is no need to “control” their every movement. Safety is important to all of us during class time- so we have some guidelines and suggestions to help support you to positively re-direct their curious energies! Our developmentally friendly instruments, activities, songs, and storytimes usually engage most children. Our children begin to understand the “routine” of our classes after a few weeks- as we begin and end our classes with the same Hello and Goodbye songs. We have seen children become more secure and comfortable and have FUN singing these songs on their own! SPECIAL NEEDS
Our classes welcome all children into the same classes with everyone else. We believe in each child's potential to demonstrate remarkable abilities and gifts!
Since musical group experiences have a powerful affect on all of us as humans... they can present some challenges with children who have special needs. We always want to show consideration and kindness in preparing children with special needs for the Kindermusik experience. Please read the following information for excellent tips on how we can collaborate and prepare to support you and your child in our studio: |
Our Studio Mission is to assist your special needs child to blossom and thrive over time.
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"What if my child has an upsetting moment or they are in need of a diaper change or feeding?"
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Feel free to RELAX in our “Comfort Area” with our bear and blanket and I Love You Rituals/ Suggestions for calming them. The class bathroom has an area for diaper changings and you are welcome to attend to any of their other needs there whilst we continue with our class activities! In addition, children are still benefiting from our music and class activities even when they are only listening! When your child feels ready to rejoin and/or fully participate in the class they may do so naturally and in their own way. After a few classes your child will be ready to spend most of his or her class time focused on what he or she can learn and you will love watching them thrive!!! ;-) |
CHILDREN NEED COMFORT and NURTURING as these are new surroundings for them!
ARRIVE 10-15 minutes EARLY for your first few classes so your child can feel safe in their new situation. A Child's brain strives to ask 3 questions.: 1) "Am I safe?" this is about perceived safety not just actual safety and for young children is often tied to having their attachment person nearby. 2) "Am I connected? This means am I accepted, loved, understood and seen in this place - do I belong and know people enough to interact? 3)"What can I learn?" Most grownups so badly want our children to learn and explore that we forget to pay attention to what question their behavior is communicating. Your job for the first few classes is to simply be the safe-keeper for your child - focus on that and answering the questions their body is asking. Safety is the only non-negotiable - then just focus on interacting with your child in any way that keeps them feeling safe and connected. 
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"How is class safety and sickness handled?"
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All our activities are SAFETY focused! We encourage children to move and play instruments in a way that is safe for the class. Uncontrolled running and throwing of instruments are not permitted.
* We recommend families wash hands before and after class! * All instruments, props and scarves etc. are cleaned and sterilized regularly. Hand sanitizer, tissue, paper towels and wipes are always available. * We take special care to seperate "mouthed" props to a special basket to assure extra proper cleaning. FOOD & DRINK: * We ask that children refrain from eating during class as it is a big distraction because we ALL love food!! * Water is allowed of course because there is a need to stay hydrated due to our movement activities! * SICKNESS: If you or your child are sick please stay home to get well. Please be fever, rash etc. free for 24 hours before returning to class. Thank you so much in advance for your consideration! |
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HOW WE TAKE PRECAUTIONS IN KINDERMUSIK:
We take tremendous care as we always do in our Kindermusik classes to keep our instruments clean before, between and after classes. Also we encourage you and your child to wash hands before and after class. Our enrolled families also follow a protocol in non attendance if their children fall ill- in order to protect other children from contagious sickness. PLEASE SEE MORE: KINDERMUSIK FAQ'S ON SICKNESS 5 WAYS TO PROTECT CHILDREN DURING FLU SEASON |
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"I feel self conscious about singing. What if I don't have a good singing voice? Or I don't know the words to the song?"
YOUR BABY loves YOU and YOUR voice since the first moment they first heard you lovingly speak to them!
Think of the power that has when you SING to them! We sing sound bites and echo plays ("Simon Says") of our music so that we become familiar as a group right away. So, there is no pressure to sing! If you are comfortable we recommend humming before you engage in song with us. When your child sees YOU engage with us THEY will want to engage too! YOU are your child’s FIRST music teacher because of your LOVE for your child. So our philosophy is to integrate our Kindermusik music and materials at home on a daily basis. This will help the entire family enjoy singing and practicing the songs at home.. and when the children hear it in class they will be more eager to participate! |
We hope that these FAQ’s will help you feel more at ease in our Kindermusik classes!
They are very different than the traditional classroom setting.
Kindermusik is a place where many new parents and families can connect and form meaningful lifelong friendships - lasting well beyond the classes experienced. We hope this becomes your experience as well!
We’re looking forward to your next class with YOU and YOUR CHILD!
Warmly,
Ms Nicole
Kindermusik Educator
They are very different than the traditional classroom setting.
Kindermusik is a place where many new parents and families can connect and form meaningful lifelong friendships - lasting well beyond the classes experienced. We hope this becomes your experience as well!
We’re looking forward to your next class with YOU and YOUR CHILD!
Warmly,
Ms Nicole
Kindermusik Educator